Salmonella Typhimurium general virulence factors: a battle of David against Goliath?

Abstract

The genus Salmonella is the most common agent causative of foodborne diseases. Although genus Salmonella members are genetically close microorganisms, they show wide variations in host-specificity, virulence and disease manifestations. Salmonellosis caused by contaminated water or food is usually present as two clinical forms: typhoid fever and nontyphoidal diseases. The latter producing gastroenteritis is frequently caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis. The nontyphoidal S. Typhimurium infection involves the following steps: bacterial adhesion, invasion, SCV maturation and replication. During these steps there is a strong interaction between host and pathogen, in which the pathogen must resist different host defense mechanisms. In each of these stages the bacteria modulate the expression of diverse groups of genes, most of which are encoded in Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI). This modulation is in general under control of the so-called two-component systems (TCS). The TCSs are capable of sensing different environmental conditions and trigger a physiological response. Currently, the risk of contracting salmonellosis disease has been considerably increased due to the emergence of new serovars showing multiple-drug resistance that presents a high risk to human health. In this work, we summarize the new advances in the study of host-pathogen interactions during the Salmonella infection that leads to the establishment of the disease. This finding highlights the role of the S. Typhimurium secretion systems and effectors during infection. In addition, we mentioned some strategies that could be explored in order to take control of Salmonella infections. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.